Squirrels, those bushy-tailed acrobats of the backyard, are often a delightful sight. However, their digging habits can quickly transform a pristine lawn into a pockmarked landscape, leaving homeowners frustrated and wondering why these creatures are so intent on excavating their property. Understanding the reasons behind this digging behavior is the first step toward effectively managing it. This article delves into the various motivations driving squirrels to dig in lawns, offering insights into their behavior and providing strategies for peacefully coexisting with these furry neighbors while preserving your yard’s aesthetic appeal.
The Squirrel’s Quest for Sustenance: Food Storage and Retrieval
Perhaps the most common reason squirrels dig in lawns is related to their food-gathering and storage behaviors. Squirrels, particularly those in temperate climates, are proactive hoarders, burying nuts, seeds, and other food items to ensure a supply during the lean winter months. This behavior, known as “scatter hoarding,” involves burying individual food items in various locations, relying on their memory and sense of smell to retrieve them later.
The soil texture and composition of your lawn can significantly influence its attractiveness as a potential food storage site for squirrels. Loose, easily diggable soil is preferred, as it simplifies the burying process. Areas with damp soil may also be more appealing, as the moisture helps preserve the buried food.
Burying Behavior: Instinct and Opportunity
The act of burying food is deeply ingrained in a squirrel’s instinct. However, the specific food items being buried can vary depending on the squirrel species and the available food sources. Acorns are a classic example, but squirrels will also bury walnuts, hickory nuts, seeds from bird feeders, and even small pieces of fruits or vegetables. If you have a fruit tree or a garden, you might find squirrels burying their bounty in your lawn, ensuring easy access to their hidden treasures.
Furthermore, squirrels are opportunistic feeders. If your neighbors have nut-bearing trees or regularly feed squirrels, your lawn might become a convenient secondary storage location, especially if it offers better soil conditions.
Retrieval Attempts: The Source of the Damage
The real lawn damage occurs when squirrels attempt to retrieve their buried caches. While they have a remarkable memory for locating their hidden treasures, they aren’t always successful. They use their sense of smell to guide them, but environmental factors, such as rain or snow, can affect the scent cues. When they can’t pinpoint the exact location, they may dig extensively, creating numerous small holes across the lawn. The frustration of an empty hole only leads to more digging, further exacerbating the problem.
Beyond Food: Other Reasons for Squirrel Digging
While food storage is the primary driver, other factors can also contribute to squirrel digging in lawns. These motivations include searching for insects, creating nests, and even boredom. Understanding these alternative reasons can help tailor your management strategies.
Insect Hunting: A Protein Source
Squirrels are primarily herbivores, but they occasionally supplement their diet with insects, particularly during the breeding season when they need extra protein. Your lawn, especially if it’s heavily fertilized or has a history of grub infestations, might be a tempting hunting ground for squirrels seeking insects. Grubs, beetle larvae, and other soil-dwelling insects are a valuable source of protein for squirrels.
Squirrels can detect the presence of insects beneath the soil surface by using their keen sense of smell and hearing. They may dig small, shallow holes to access these insects, leaving behind noticeable damage. Controlling insect populations in your lawn can reduce its attractiveness to squirrels.
Nest Building: Shelter and Security
Although squirrels typically build nests in trees, they may also dig shallow burrows in the ground for temporary shelter or to create nests for their young. Ground nests provide protection from predators and harsh weather conditions. The presence of nesting materials, such as leaves, twigs, and grass, near the dug areas may indicate that squirrels are attempting to establish a ground nest.
Boredom and Exploration: Playful Digging
Sometimes, squirrels dig simply out of curiosity or boredom. Young squirrels, in particular, are highly inquisitive and may dig in the lawn as part of their exploration and play activities. This type of digging is usually less extensive than food-related digging and may be concentrated in specific areas.
Identifying Squirrel Damage: Recognizing the Signs
Differentiating squirrel damage from the damage caused by other animals, such as skunks or voles, is crucial for implementing the appropriate management strategies. Squirrel digging typically manifests as small, shallow holes, often only a few inches deep. These holes are usually scattered across the lawn, particularly beneath trees or near bird feeders.
Other signs of squirrel activity include:
- Missing birdseed from feeders.
- Gnawed bark on trees and shrubs.
- Presence of nuts or seeds scattered around the lawn.
- Sightings of squirrels in the yard.
Effective Strategies for Managing Squirrel Digging
Managing squirrel digging requires a multifaceted approach that combines habitat modification, exclusion techniques, and repellents. It’s important to note that lethal control methods are often ineffective and can disrupt the local ecosystem. Focus on humane and sustainable solutions that deter squirrels without harming them.
Habitat Modification: Reducing Attractiveness
The first step in managing squirrel digging is to reduce the attractiveness of your lawn to these creatures. This involves eliminating food sources, modifying the soil composition, and minimizing access to shelter.
- Clean up fallen nuts and seeds regularly: Remove any fallen nuts, seeds, or fruits from your lawn to eliminate a readily available food source for squirrels.
- Use squirrel-resistant bird feeders: Opt for bird feeders that are designed to prevent squirrels from accessing the seed. These feeders often feature cages or baffles that exclude squirrels while allowing birds to feed.
- Store birdseed properly: Store birdseed in airtight containers to prevent squirrels from smelling it and being attracted to your property.
- Consider using different types of mulch: Coarse mulch, such as wood chips, can be less attractive to squirrels than fine mulch, such as shredded bark.
- Eliminate grub infestations: Treat your lawn for grubs and other soil-dwelling insects to remove a protein source that attracts squirrels.
- Provide alternative water sources: In dry weather, squirrels may dig in the lawn searching for moisture. Providing a birdbath or other water source can reduce their need to dig for water.
Exclusion Techniques: Creating Barriers
Exclusion techniques involve creating physical barriers to prevent squirrels from accessing specific areas of your lawn or garden. These barriers can be particularly effective for protecting vulnerable plants or preventing squirrels from digging in flowerbeds.
- Install fencing: Install a wire mesh fence around your garden or flowerbeds to prevent squirrels from entering. The fence should be at least two feet tall and buried several inches into the ground.
- Use netting: Cover vulnerable plants with netting to protect them from squirrel damage.
- Apply wire mesh around tree trunks: Wrap the trunks of young trees with wire mesh to prevent squirrels from gnawing on the bark.
- Protect bulbs with wire mesh: When planting bulbs, place a layer of wire mesh beneath the bulbs to prevent squirrels from digging them up.
Repellents: Discouraging Squirrels
Repellents can be used to deter squirrels from digging in the lawn. These repellents can be either scent-based or taste-based.
- Scent-based repellents: These repellents typically contain ingredients that squirrels find offensive, such as garlic, peppermint oil, or capsaicin (the active ingredient in chili peppers). Apply these repellents to the lawn and surrounding areas, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Taste-based repellents: These repellents are typically applied to plants and deter squirrels from chewing on them. They often contain bitter-tasting ingredients.
- Motion-activated sprinklers: These sprinklers are triggered by movement and can effectively deter squirrels from entering your yard.
Remember to reapply repellents regularly, especially after rain, to maintain their effectiveness. It’s also important to rotate different types of repellents to prevent squirrels from becoming accustomed to them.
Coexistence: Finding a Balance
Complete eradication of squirrels from your property is often unrealistic and undesirable. Squirrels are an important part of the ecosystem, playing a role in seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. The goal is to find a balance between protecting your lawn and coexisting peacefully with these creatures.
Consider designating a specific area of your yard as a “squirrel zone,” where you allow squirrels to dig and forage without interfering. This can help to divert their attention away from your prized lawn.
Conclusion: Understanding and Managing Squirrel Behavior
Squirrel digging in the lawn can be a frustrating problem for homeowners. However, understanding the reasons behind this behavior is crucial for implementing effective management strategies. By addressing the underlying motivations, such as food storage, insect hunting, and nesting, you can reduce the attractiveness of your lawn to squirrels and minimize the damage they cause. Combining habitat modification, exclusion techniques, and repellents can provide a comprehensive approach to managing squirrel digging. Remember to focus on humane and sustainable solutions that protect your lawn while allowing you to coexist peacefully with these fascinating creatures. By taking a proactive and informed approach, you can maintain a beautiful lawn without waging war on your furry neighbors.
Why are squirrels digging up my lawn?
Squirrels dig in lawns primarily in search of food. They may be looking for nuts, seeds, bulbs, and roots that are buried underground. Grubs and other soil-dwelling insects are also a significant food source, particularly in the warmer months. In the fall, squirrels actively bury food caches to sustain themselves through the winter, leading to increased digging activity during this period.
Beyond foraging, squirrels sometimes dig shallow holes to create temporary shelter, particularly in extreme weather. This is less common but can occur if they feel threatened or need a quick respite from the sun or rain. Understanding the motivation behind the digging is crucial for implementing effective deterrents and preventing further damage to your lawn.
What kind of damage can squirrels cause to my lawn?
Squirrel digging can result in unsightly holes scattered across your lawn, disrupting the even surface and making it difficult to mow. Repeated digging can also damage grass roots, leading to bare patches and weakening the overall health of your turf. Furthermore, extensive tunneling can create uneven ground, posing a tripping hazard.
Beyond the aesthetic and structural damage, squirrel digging can also attract other pests. Exposed grubs and insects become easier targets for birds and other predators, potentially leading to further digging and disruption. The disturbed soil can also create favorable conditions for weed growth, adding another challenge to maintaining a healthy lawn.
How can I tell the difference between squirrel damage and other animal damage?
Squirrel holes are typically small and shallow, usually only a few inches deep and a few inches wide. They often appear scattered randomly across the lawn, rather than in a concentrated area. You may also notice small piles of displaced soil near the holes. Additionally, the presence of chewed nuts or seed shells nearby can be a telltale sign of squirrel activity.
Other animals, such as moles and voles, create different types of damage. Moles create raised ridges in the lawn as they tunnel underground, while voles create surface runways and small, well-defined holes near the surface. Skunks and raccoons, when digging for grubs, tend to create larger, more irregular patches of disturbed soil. Examining the size and pattern of the damage can help you identify the culprit and tailor your control methods accordingly.
Are there any plants that deter squirrels from digging?
Yes, certain plants are known to deter squirrels due to their strong scents or textures. Planting daffodils, hyacinths, and alliums around your lawn or garden can help discourage squirrels, as they dislike the taste and smell of these bulbs. Marigolds and geraniums are also known for their squirrel-repelling properties.
In addition to specific plants, using thorny or prickly ground covers can create a physical barrier that discourages squirrels from digging. Consider incorporating juniper, creeping rosemary, or other low-growing, textured plants into your landscaping to make your lawn less appealing to these furry visitors. Remember to research the specific needs of these plants to ensure they thrive in your local climate.
What are some humane ways to deter squirrels from my lawn?
One humane method is to apply a squirrel repellent made with cayenne pepper or other natural ingredients. These repellents are designed to be unpleasant to squirrels but harmless to other animals and the environment. You can also use motion-activated sprinklers to startle squirrels and discourage them from entering your lawn.
Another approach is to reduce the availability of food sources. Regularly cleaning up fallen nuts, seeds, and berries from your yard can make your lawn less attractive to squirrels. Consider using squirrel-resistant bird feeders and storing pet food indoors to eliminate potential food sources that may be attracting them to your property. Remember, preventing access to food is key to long-term squirrel deterrence.
Will trapping and relocating squirrels solve the problem?
Trapping and relocating squirrels is often ineffective as a long-term solution. While it may temporarily remove the offending squirrels, new squirrels are likely to move into the vacated territory. Additionally, relocating squirrels can be stressful for the animals and may disrupt the local ecosystem.
In many areas, trapping and relocating wildlife is regulated or even prohibited by local laws. Before considering this option, it’s important to check with your local animal control or wildlife agency to understand the regulations and potential consequences. Focusing on deterrents and habitat modification is generally a more sustainable and humane approach to managing squirrel populations in your yard.
When should I consider calling a professional for squirrel control?
If you’ve tried various deterrent methods without success, or if you’re dealing with a large squirrel population that is causing significant damage, it may be time to consult with a professional wildlife control service. They have the expertise and tools to assess the situation and develop a customized plan to manage the squirrel population on your property.
Furthermore, if you suspect that squirrels have nested in your attic or other parts of your home, it’s crucial to seek professional assistance. Removing squirrels from buildings can be complex and requires specialized techniques to ensure the animals are removed safely and humanely, and to prevent them from re-entering. A professional can also help repair any damage caused by the squirrels and implement preventative measures to avoid future infestations.